MERCEDES-BENZ

280 SL Pagode

The MERCEDES-BENZ 280 SL Pagode is the final and most refined evolution of the W113 family, a two-seat roadster built at Sindelfingen near Stuttgart, Germany. The whole W113 line debuted at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show with the 230 SL, was joined by the 250 SL in 1967, and culminated with the 280 SL produced from 1968 to 1971. The instantly recognisable "Pagode" nickname comes from the optional removable hardtop, whose gently concave roofline echoes the curved roofs of East Asian pagodas. Far from a styling gimmick, the design was penned by Paul Bracq, while Mercedes-Benz safety pioneer Béla Barényi engineered the surrounding body to add rigidity and rollover protection, integrating crumple zones and a strong passenger cell well ahead of its time. Mechanically the MERCEDES-BENZ 280 SL Pagode carried over the W113 recipe of a fuel-injected inline-six, here the 2.8-litre M130 with Bosch mechanical injection driving the rear wheels through either a four-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Like the earlier 230 SL and 250 SL, the 280 SL was sold as a roadster with a soft top, with the famous Pagoda hardtop offered as an option. The W113 replaced both the 190 SL and the legendary 300 SL, blending sporty character with genuine grand-touring comfort and Mercedes durability. In total roughly 48,912 W113 cars were built across the three models, of which the MERCEDES-BENZ 280 SL Pagode accounts for around 23,885 units, making it by far the most numerous and most valuable of the trio. Production of the MERCEDES-BENZ 280 SL Pagode ended in March 1971, when the larger R107 SL took over the SL mantle.